Chicago
Dr. Charles Elias Walker waited patiently at a local café. His attire was that of casual, something he had not been used to in recent times. His drink was water, pure and simple. From his pocket, he pulled a watch; silver and aged with time. Glancing across the table, his eyes met that of the former agent now simply known as Turner. Turner sipped from a mug of coffee. He was clean-shaven and well dressed.
“The chip was deactivated only a few hours after you made contact”
“Henry Quantos is on their payroll. I bet he knew about the chip even before I was gone.” Turner sipped from his mug.
“And your chip?”
“Charles, no need to beat around the bush. You know exactly what has transpired over the last few weeks.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Really Turner, well, enlighten me.”
“Where should I start? Our plan to track Cicciotto to the secret headquarters of the so-called Revolutionaries? Tweed tracking my progress?” Turner paused as he looked over the small café, “Or your personal agenda of hoping for a bond to form between Cicciotto and I?”
“Interesting. But Mr. Turner, why would I want you and Cicciotto to become friends? It seems like that would only be a disadvantage for my plans.”
“Or maybe it would cause Cicciotto to look at the EPS in a different light. Wonder if the world really needs us.”
“Which it does.”
“I am not arguing that point. Which is why I haven’t disappeared and started anew.”
“I see. You know I could have easily found you no matter where you would have went.”
“I would expect no less. Just as you know that you would be wasting agents. Money. And most importantly time.”
“So why have you returned? You had your freedom. Why return to the evil mad scientist?”
“You’re not evil. We both know that. We both want what’s best for this world. At our own expense and the expense of a chosen few. But in the end it will be all that stops what is coming.”
“I agree.”
Walker took a deep breath enjoying the fresh air.
“I almost forgot the feeling of just being.” Walker said taking a sip of his drink. “With out outside contact, we loose motivation for helping them. We must never forget that.”
“If they only knew how lucky they were.” Turner paused thinking back, “How many times their life has been in danger. What’s out there. Do you resent them?”
Walker thought for a second, “I envy and pity them. For everything they doesn’t have knowledge of and for everything they long for, which would drive them beyond mental limits.”
Turner smiled, “We all go a little mad sometimes.”
“We have Cicciotto’s location. You do know that.”
“I do.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“Cicciotto was not the one you were after. We both know this. He was not the one. Much energy wasted for nothing.” Turner looked Walker into the eyes; “You are after the key.”
Walker remained silent as Turner continued, “As a man of science I would believe that you would know a meta as such would not exist.”
Walker shook his head for a moment, not agreeing with or answering to Turner’s comments.
“Welcome back.”
“Thank you.
The two men sat there and enjoyed the afternoon.
